When Bears common supervisor Ryan Poles took the job in January 2022 and surveyed what the group had executed with quarterback Justin Fields in his rookie season, it was arduous to get a learn on the state of affairs. Between poor teaching, poor personnel round him and a poor plan for his growth, it “clouded” any analysis of what the Bears actually had in Fields.
They’re at an analogous level with Caleb Williams.
Like Fields, Williams has proven flashes of potential and indicators of regression whereas taking part in for incompetent coaches, dodging defenders behind a flimsy offensive line and nonetheless attempting to grasp among the fundamentals of the place. There’s legit concern about how a lot he really has gained from this depressing season and whether or not his incoming new coach will probably be considerably ranging from scratch.
Williams would reject that concept, although he acknowledged frustration with himself for not being “in a position to be constant all season” and never successful because the Bears fell to 4-12 on Thursday with a humiliating 6-3 loss to the Seahawks.
Within the century-plus historical past {of professional} soccer, there have been simply 35 video games that ended 6-3 — out of 17,908. Williams co-authored one that may go on the listing with groups from the Nineteen Twenties just like the Dayton Triangles and Frankford Yellow Jackets. Video games ought to by no means seem like this within the iPhone age.
“Irritating, aggravated, however studying,” Williams mentioned when requested about his tumultuous rookie season. “I undoubtedly assume that that is going to be good for me. Enthusiastic about this [final] sport after which excited in regards to the future.”
Any perception that this has been considerably useful or pleasure about going through the Packers subsequent weekend or the way forward for a group that has misplaced 10 video games in a row is only religion at this level. The proof that any of that may show true is scarce.
There’s an ominous feeling descending on Halas Corridor that the majority of this season, which started with Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron teaching Williams, has been a complete waste.
“We’re not likely taking part in NFL soccer,” tight finish Cole Kmet mentioned.
In an interview with Prime Video that aired earlier than the sport, Williams cited one success of the season as, “I’ve confirmed to myself that I can play,” however that was hardly his or the Bears’ aim coming in. Expectations have been a lot larger throughout, and Williams mentioned earlier than the draft he was taking intention at Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s outstanding 2023 rookie season, which included a Professional Bowl choice and a playoff win.
Within the Seahawks sport, Williams didn’t attain 100 yards passing till virtually the two-minute warning and completed 16 of 28 for 122 yards with an interception and no touchdowns for a 53.0 passer score. Whatever the Bears’ numerous malfunctions, together with ongoing offensive line woes, dropped passes, penalties and interim coach Thomas Brown’s errors in play calling and clock administration, that’s what regression seems like.
That’s twice now the Bears believed Williams had superior previous rookie-level play solely to see him dip once more. The primary uptick early within the season got here in opposition to struggling opponents, and he reverted as quickly because the competitors toughened. He acquired going once more with some promising performances in opposition to the Packers, Vikings and Lions, then tapered off once more.
Williams mentioned Thursday he must “discover methods to be constant and play good soccer when the ball is in my hand.” That’s a key phrase on the finish. It doesn’t matter what is improper with the Bears, the ball is in his hand on the finish. He makes the ultimate determination on the place the ball goes or doesn’t go. Elite quarterbacks discover a method rating greater than three factors even in unfavorable circumstances
The brand new coach’s job will probably be to type out which video games are extra reflective of the participant Williams actually is. Is there sufficient concrete in his good outings to construct from and information him to a breakout in 2025, or are his struggles with footwork, decisiveness within the pocket and grasp of issues he can now not get away with now that he’s out of faculty going to require a complete makeover?
The issue with Williams’ evening in opposition to the Seahawks is that it wasn’t an aberration. He’s had six video games with a passer score beneath 70, together with two within the second half of the season. It was the third time in 4 video games he handed for fewer than 200 yards.
The Bears’ offense punted on its first 5 possessions in opposition to the 49ers to start the month, opened by punting, fumbling or turning it over 5 instances in opposition to the Vikings and began with 4 punts or misplaced fumbles in opposition to the Lions, then punted seven of the primary eight possessions within the loss to the Seahawks.
Fields by no means acquired a cross for issues like that, at the same time as a rookie, and Williams doesn’t, both. His 87.4 passer score for the season, albeit as a rookie, is barely higher than the 86.3 that acquired Fields despatched out of city, so this must be merely a place to begin. Williams and the brand new coach should untangle this mess to verify he’s not nonetheless taking part in like a rookie subsequent season.
